Love Local Issue
Every year, we struggle to narrow down our ideas for our February, “Local Love,” issue.
After all, the inspiration behind this magazine is to show, through story and image, all the reasons to love Birmingham. Luckily for us, we will never have enough pages to cover all that is inspiring, new, informative, and unique about our city. There is so much to celebrate.
This month, I’m especially happy to share two sto ries we’ve had on our minds for some time…
I’ve been frequenting Cala Coffee since it opened two years ago. In that time, I’ve consistently been struck by Cala’s creative collaborations with other local businesses. From concerts to improv shows to vintage jewelry pop-ups, Cala is creating much more than premium lattes; it’s building a vibrant third space for folks to gather. This February, Cala will feature the Local Love Latte as it joins Birmingham Lifestyle in celebrating the sweetness of our community.
Another story we’ve had on the docket for quite some time is that of artist Kyle Rogers. I met Kyle at a networking event over two years ago. He was introduced to me as an artist I should get to know. I immediately started looking through his Instagram feed and recognized a piece of art.
“Hey! That’s in my parent’s living room!”
It turns out my mom was Kyle’s first Birmingham patron. At the time, he was selling his art at Tricia’s Treasures. It’s no surprise that tastemaker Pam McNutt was an early fan of the artist who is now making a splash across Birmingham.
Our hope is that we inspire you to love the life you are building in Birmingham just a bit more than you did before.
Happy February!
KALI MCNUTT, PUBLISHER @BIRMINGHAM.LIFESTYLE
February 2025
PUBLISHER
Kali McNutt | kali.mcnutt@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Blair Moore | blair.moore@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Denise K. James, Blair Moore, Reverend Rich Webster, Mara Hamner, Kali McNutt
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ambre Amari, Dawn Gagye, Mary Fehr, Clay Morrison
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Lynlee strongly believes in and supports residential growth in Birmingham Since obtaining her license in 2014, Lynlee has completed over 624 transactions totaling over $280 million dollars of real estate sold in the area. “I have made a huge effort to be intimately engaged in the central city and surrounding “city suburbs” from Forest Park to Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia, so that I can provide the greatest benefit to my clients, which I strongly believe is market knowledge”. Her greatest motivation is her clients: She says, “Success to me is doing what I love every day and knowing my contributions positively impact my clients, my company and my city and that I have produced the highest quality of work ”
Noalani Helmandottar
COLOR
Inspired by Simple Pleasures
Home Instead Celebrates 28 Years of Service
Home Instead is proud to mark 28 years of providing quality non-medical, in-home care services to the Birmingham community. Since its founding on February 24, 1997, the company has remained dedicated to enhancing the lives of seniors and their families. Over the years, Home Instead has cared for more than 14,000 families, delivering an impressive 4.5 million hours of service in the Birmingham area. For this team, care is more than a job—it’s personal.
PANTONE 17-1230 MOCHA MOUSSE
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS MALABAR
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS GROUNDED
FARROW AND BALL DEAD SALMON
Avani Rupa to Host Diamonds and Desserts Event
Avani Rupa invites the community to a special Valentine’s event on Tuesday, February 11th, from 4 to 7 p.m. The showroom will feature an array of unique jewelry pieces, bubbly refreshments, decadent desserts, and delightful surprises. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the charm and elegance of Avani Rupa—because diamonds and desserts truly are a girl’s best friend.
Dr. Joseph Wu, M.D. Founder & Lead Physician
Noalani Helmandottar knows the trick to make you laugh
Magic in the City
Noalani Helmandottar has always been a funny girl. The Pinson native grew up interested in comedy and theater and even trained as a professional clown. But a magical new path soon revealed itself.
It all started when Noalani was hanging out with a friend who happens to be a magician, watching him perform a trick. Always ready for laughs, Noalani started making fun of the trick – then, to her surprise, her friend told her she should be a magician, too. “He said, ‘You should really do this. You have stage presence,’” she says.
Magic and comedy might not seem intertwined, but both magicians and comedians give a performance. According to Noalani, magic tricks are simple to learn, but the true work of being a magician is engaging with the audience. That’s how her comedic style became important.
Magic City audiences can check out Loft Out Loud, a comedy variety show with music, art, local food, and loads of laughs. Laughacadabra, hosted
with her friend Mario Carrares at various venues, also combines magic and humor. In the show, stand-up comics perform magic for the first time in front of an audience and make it their own. “The very first show we hosted, I cried,” Noalani admits. “It’s so good. You can be the best magician in the world, but if you don’t bring your style to the stage, you won’t make it.”
This summer, Noalani hopes to evoke fresh laughter from audiences with a one-woman performance based on her teen diaries. The show is a hilarious, personal series of vignettes, combining, of course, humor and magic. “It’s set in my angsty ‘90s teen bedroom, and everything will be part of the magic show,” Noalani says. “It will be nostalgic, moving, and funny.”
Socials: @laughacadabra
@loftoutloudshow
CONTINUED >
“You can be the best magician in the world, but if you don’t bring your style to the stage, you won’t make it.”
DENISE K. JAMES
It Takes a Village
Birmingham’s TumTum Tree Foundation connects the community to kids
In the Lewis Carroll poem “Jabberwocky,” the TumTum tree is a place of refuge. It’s also a fitting name for a nonprofit which affords children opportunities in this otherwise challenging world.
The history of Birmingham’s TumTum Tree Foundation goes back 35 years. At the time, it was known as Magic Moments for its beneficiary nonprofit – and was renamed in 2005 to highlight the mission to work with additional nonprofits, all childhood-focused.
According to founders and board members Susan and Peter Curtin, TumTum’s focus on the well-being of children has been the cornerstone of its growth, even from the earliest days.
“TumTum is always evolving – the groups we support change from year to year, and really, the last five or six years, as the funds raised have grown to a sizable number, we’ve had to be very thoughtful about how we create our group of charities,” Peter says. “At this point, the two major boxes a charity has to check are that they are local to Alabama and that they serve kids.”
ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The structure of TumTum consists of an iconic annual wine auction and a weekend full of events. From Thursday night’s dinner to Saturday’s football tailgate (Roll Tide), attendees have the chance to mingle, meet vintners, and sip on outstanding wines from a variety of vineyards.
Spreading the work of TumTum is mostly “word of mouth,” according to the Curtins, with many vintners telling their friends to get their vineyards involved. At present, many of the vineyards and vintners are based on the West Coast of the United States – mainly California and Oregon – but the goal is to get more international support as TumTum continues to grow.
“We want to broaden our reach and connect with more vineyards in France, Italy, and Argentina – your well-known wine-making areas,” Peter notes.
Longtime supporter Emmett McLean and his wife, Catherine, consider children's charities “near and dear.” The couple has three children and four grandchildren and feels that the best gift you can give to children is opportunity.
“One reason we give to the TumTum Foundation is they do a great job of selecting the right beneficiaries,” Emmett says. “It’s easy to see who you’re supporting and what those organizations do for children.”
In addition to the donors, board, and staff, the vintners find TumTum’s causes to be heartfelt, as the McLeans have heard time and time again.
“Catherine and I have been on some trips to meet the vintners,” Emmett says. “And they’re passionate as well. They can’t wait to come back to Birmingham.”
In Peter’s words, it’s a “fascinating juxtaposition” that such a lively party of wine and food can result in such quiet strength in a child’s life. He described one recent occasion where he witnessed a child facing health challenges climb onto the back of a horse.
“The night of the event, there’s this electricity in the air, and it’s exciting,” he shares. “But the counterbalance of that is when you see a child directly benefit from what we do—and how their face lights up, and they feel like they’re on top of the world. That’s an exciting feeling as well.”
POURING in
ARTICLE BY KALI MCNUTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBRE AMARI
There's a palpable sense of warmth when you walk into Cala Coffee in Cahaba Heights. A welcoming, upbeat spirit fills the former warehouse space that is almost always filled to the brim with patrons.
Josh and Mel Cosio, the dynamic couple behind Cala, have intentionally crafted everything, from the brand identity to the customer experience to the ingredients in every specialty latte.
The Cosio’s journey to owning a coffee business started during the pandemic. An avid coffee drinker, Josh began roasting at home as a creative outlet. Sharing his small-batch roasts with friends in a Cahaba Heights Facebook group sparked demand, and that’s when Josh had an idea: What if I turned this passion into a coffee cart?
The cart wasn’t just about selling coffee but about creating an experience. As weeks passed, the dream of a brick-and-mortar shop became undeniable. “I knew it was time to go all in,” Josh says. “We wanted to create something lasting — a place where people could connect, laugh, and share a cup of coffee.”
“We get to impact people in a really small way, but in a way that adds up and can dictate the course of their day,” Mel says.
“WE WANTED TO CREATE SOMETHING lasting — A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE could connect , LAUGH, AND SHARE A CUP OF COFFEE.”
Cala’s sense of community goes beyond its customers. Josh and Mel have worked hard to build relationships with local businesses, including collaborations with Ladybird Taco and Bandit Pâtisserie. Josh, a California native, always planned to have breakfast tacos on the menu as an homage to his West Coast and Mexican roots.
California also makes an appearance in the shop’s name. California + Alabama = Cala. The sunny disposition of Speedy, Cala’s mascot created by local brand strategist and designer Andrew Thompson of A Studio That Works, was intentionally made to feel “California retro.” Thompson continues to ensure the brand is cohesive and reflects Cala’s mission: to make people feel good.
Likewise, the Cosios sought out Amanda Loper of David Baker Architects as their architect partly because of her time in California and partly because of her local work, namely Golden Age and the Bandsaw Building.
Other collaborators include Madison Murphy, owner of the curated gifting company, Byndel, Grant Gannon of Heights Handmade (who made all the hightop tables), and Grace Champion of Place of Grace Pottery.
Jessica Leitch was “just a customer,” now, her creative endeavor, The Little Red Print Shop, is popping up at Cala. You’ll want to bring quarters to purchase one of her linocut prints.
Local businesses Eastaboga Bee Company and Sachai Tea Co. provide staple ingredients for Cala’s latte offerings. Locally grown mint leaves are used to create a seasonal mint cold brew.
The Cosios are also quick to note the supporters crucial to their success: CO.STARTERS, the Alabama Small Business Development Center, The Fig, Seeds Coffee Co., and their most loyal customers, Brigham Cowgill and Kate Headley.
“WE GET TO impact PEOPLE IN A REALLY SMALL WAY, BUT IN A WAY THAT ADDS UP AND CAN DICTATE the course OF THEIR DAY.
Beyond business, Cala has become a place where personal connections happen. Mel recounts the story of their first “Cala couple,” who had their first date at Cala and are now married. For another local couple, Cala was so instrumental in their relationship that it was chosen as the location for their engagement party, rehearsal dinner, and wedding reception.
Relationships blossom on the other side of the counter, too. Mel and Josh get the most fulfillment from seeing their baristas grow professionally and become friends.
“When a team loves each other, they pour into our customers the way we want them to pour into our customers. I know our customers feel that,” Mel says.
By fostering relationships, championing collaboration, and creating a space where people feel seen and valued, Josh and Mel have made more than a coffee shop; they’ve created a place where local love brews.
This February, Cala will feature the Local Love Latte as it joins Birmingham Lifestyle in celebrating the sweetness of our community.
THE ART OF AGING GRACEFULLY
ARTICLE
BY BLAIR MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBRE AMARI
DR. ELIZABETH ADAMS’ REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH
On her drive home from residency 15 years ago, Dr. Elizabeth Adams had a realization: she could unite her medical expertise and creative passion through the art of aesthetics. Driven by a fascination with the aging process and a desire to help women age with confidence, Dr. Adams has become one of Birmingham’s most sought-after aesthetics experts.
Over the years, Dr. Adams has championed a more refined, artistic approach to aesthetics. She has traveled the globe to master techniques that ensure natural-looking results. Most recently, she trained in Oslo, Norway, with renowned lip injector Julie Horne. “Julie is so innovative, and it was a great opportunity to pick her brain in an intimate setting,” she says.
Dr. Adams’ expertise has drawn other Birmingham injectors to seek her out for training, and she gladly shares her knowledge. “I don’t believe in competition. I believe in collaboration,” she says. “If you’re better, it makes me better, and that makes the whole industry better.”
Though Dr. Adams has never sculpted, her artistic eye suggests she’d excel at it. “When I see a face, I see shadows; I see angles,” she says. “It’s creative, but it’s also math. Like da Vinci’s work, it’s all about proportions. That’s why I think I’d be a great sculptor, but I’ve never tried it. Apparently, you can’t just jump into 400level art classes,” she laughs.
Dr. Adams’ philosophy on aesthetics is deeply rooted in her holistic approach to aging. She emphasizes that the aging process occurs on three levels: superficial skin, fat pad deflation, and bone degradation. To address these, she employs a combination of topicals, lasers, and injectables. In addition to treating external signs of aging, her practice focuses on internal health. “You can tell a lot by just looking at someone's skin,” she explains. “Your inside barometer of health is reflected on your outside.” Through facial mapping, she identifies clues about internal conditions, such as dehydration and inflammation. Beyond the visible, Dr. Adams also provides recommendations to address less tangible aspects of aging, including micronutrient deficiencies and chronic inflammation, using lab testing and other holistic modalities.
Dr. Adams owns Aesthetic Atelier, a concierge private practice, and meets with clients in the comfort of their homes or at their place of work. Mary Virginia Colvert, a client of Aesthetic Atelier, appreciates Adams’ techniques. “She is one of those people who just creates beauty all around her,” Mary Virginia says. “I love how she has a conservative approach that makes you feel natural and like yourself. It’s just seamless and brings out my natural features without changing too much or making me look like somebody different.” Mary Virginia looks forward to her visits with Dr. Adams. “It feels like a friend coming over. We just talk and laugh, and she does the injections, and then she’s done—and I didn’t have to leave the house.”
To anyone who knows her, it’s clear that Dr. Adams is passionate about the process of aging, which she describes as beautiful and predictable. Everyone loses collagen in their 30s, which can be seen predictably in the late 30s and early 40s, with decreased skin integrity. And when someone hits 40, they will feel like their body starts going downhill overnight. “It happens to everybody!” she says. And there is plenty of good that comes with aging, too. “What I love most about aging is the life wisdom that comes with it. Who wants to be 20 again?” she laughs. “Age doesn’t have to be that serious of a subject. It’s endless humor.”
With her unique perspective, Dr. Adams is on a mission to help others realize that the inevitability of aging doesn’t have to be feared. It can be embraced confidently as a true celebration of beauty, wisdom, and life itself.
“AGE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT SERIOUS OF A SUBJECT. IT’S ENDLESS HUMOR.”
Front Row: Leslie Wyatt, Morgan Gearhart, Penny Calvert-Ward, Lynda Lewis Back Row: Kenny Burns, Paul Mitchell, Collins Compere, Ken Alderman, Ken Griffin
A BIRMINGHAM Bookshelf
ALABAMA BOOKSMITH’S CURATED READING LIST FOSTERS LOCAL LOVE, PRIDE, AND UNDERSTANDING
ARTICLE BY JAKE REISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLAY MORRISON
We asked Jake Reiss, proprietor of Alabama Booksmith, for five books around this month’s theme of “Local Love.” Enjoy reading his well-rounded selections.
From the Ground Up: Birmingham's Business History, A Legacy of Giving by Lynn Edge and Greg Womble offers a close-up, behindthe-scenes view of the pioneering families and businesses who founded the hard-scrabble town in 1872 and helped turn it into The Magic City. Many current corporations and charitable organizations are also featured, making this beautiful coffee table treasure a must for every local home.
outstanding institutions. Birmingham Beer: A Heady History of Brewing in the Magic City by Carla Jean Whitley features a wide assortment of joints to enjoy a cold one. Readers will glean that successful craft breweries are more than the ingredients – they supply a social environment within the community.
“Many recently uncovered FBI files are included — describing the infighting between Martin
Luther King, Jr. and Fred Shuttlesworth.”
Now that Birmingham has been established as one of America's foodie destinations, Emily Brown's Birmingham Food: A Magic City Menu should be required reading for all residents and visitors. This delicious book covers the early hotel and cafeteria dining, the famous eating establishments of the past, and the award-winning local chefs now serving second and third generations.
Local neighborhood breweries are "hot" nationwide, and our area is home to many
Birmingham's history cannot be wholly told without including our civil rights story. Read about one of our most beloved leaders in Mattie C's Boy: The Shelley Stewart Story by Don Keith. This rags-to-riches hero not only rose from sleeping in a stable to founding a major national marketing company with clients like Coke and Honda, but he also risked his life to challenge the Klan during the Birmingham demonstrations.
You Have to be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live: Ten Weeks in Birmingham That Changed America by Paul Kix may be the longest title in publication, but it’s crucial to understanding how Birmingham ended segregation in our country. Many recently uncovered FBI files are included that provide previously classified documents describing the infighting between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Fred Shuttlesworth.
As an expert in self-care and a studio owner, Kerri
Bunn
has been putting early expiration dates on
her studio’s gift cards for years. “I’ve found that it urges people to use the gifts that they’ve been given. I believe in self-care that much!”
Loving Yourself Well Changes Everything
ARTICLE BY KERRI BUNN
I’m no stranger to the beauty industry and the world of self-care. As an aesthetician and studio owner, I know that some women excel at self-care while others treat it like committing a crime. Is self-care selfish? I think not. Here are three reasons why:
#1 It changes your mood! Self-care is one of the best practices for giving yourself a dopamine boost. For some, self-care is a solo shopping date at a favorite department store. For others, self-care is a latte at a favorite coffee shop. For many of my clients, selfcare is an hour-long facial each month! Whatever you choose, self-care improves your mood, benefiting those around you.
#2 It gives you something to look forward to. Whatever your daily stressors, having self-care on your calendar is a great way to reduce stress, lower cortisol, and add joy to the mundane moments of life.
#3 It builds confidence. Self-care goes beyond skin care; it is an act of love that improves mental clarity, reduces anxiety, and enhances well-being. When you prioritize self-care, you radiate confidence; that glow is as important as the physical results.
From an aesthetician’s perspective, self-care is not indulgent; it’s essential. By prioritizing self-care, you invest in your skin’s health and nurture your body and soul, creating a lasting foundation for beauty and wellness.
Hugs, Kerri
Socials: @kerribunn
Email: kerri@kerribunn.com
Website: kerribunn.com
Mary Meadows Livingston, CFA, CFP® - Founder, Abeona
VAN GO GO GO
With house paint, humble materials, and gusto, Kyle Rogers makes his mark
ARTICLE BY KALI MCNUTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY FEHR
“I was traveling 300 days a year for work. I was on a plane so much. I thought, ‘Man, I gotta get a life,’ so I started drawing on my iPad during those plane rides,” Kyle Rogers explains.
At first, it was political satire–he’d spent decades as a lobbyist in the D.C. swamp, which provided ample, rich subject matter.
During one of his frequent business trips to New Orleans, Kyle struck up a conversation with an artist who persuaded him to try painting. He returned to D.C. and began to paint, dubbing his backyard painting “studio” at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, “Outhouse Nation.”
Months later, a health scare in the form of a third-degree heart block prompted a complete re-assessment of priorities and lifestyle. In 2019, Kyle and his wife left D.C. for Birmingham.
Kyle’s artistic voice has continued to evolve since his move to Birmingham. Static imagery has given way to paintings that are so lively that they almost jump off the page.
CONTINUED >
Watching Kyle create is an experience. In less than 10 minutes, a complete scene takes shape on a large piece of tar paper. Paint brushes are dipped quickly and a bit sloppily into cans of house paint–no time is taken to wash the brushes or even change them out between colors. Marks are made intuitively. It takes a few minutes for a characterful face to emerge from the black tar paper. A man playing the saxophone. A New Orleansesque scene full of movement.
Cowboys and Native Americans comprise much of Kyle’s subject matter. A current show at 16th Cross Pearson on 1st Ave North features scenes recalled from Kyle’s childhood in Charleston, South Carolina— churchgoers, preachers, hunters, and musicians–all soulful and full of life.
He paints on denim jackets, tar paper, cardboard, and canvases.
Today, you can find Kyle at Crestwood Pickers, where he paints most days. He has been known to pop up around town for live painting events, most recently at Revival Birmingham in Forest Park. During the spring and fall Round Top shows, Kyle takes up residence in Texas, where he has found an enthusiastic following.
Follow Kyle on Instagram @obnoxiouslilshit or visit him at Crestwood Pickers, located at 7001 Crestwood Blvd, Suite 900.
“ I WAS TRAVELING 300 DAYS A YEAR FOR WORK. I WAS ON A PLANE SO MUCH. I THOUGHT, ‘MAN, I GOTTA GET A LIFE,’ SO I STARTED DRAWING ON MY IPAD DURING THOSE PLANE RIDES.
PREPARING A TABLE
It’s not a newsflash to say we live in a time of change. Our world feels different. But even in a disorienting world, hope is always possible, and I have my own story about hope.
I lead a church that has become “somewhere” for lots of people, though not in the way you might think. From that first bottle of hand sanitizer during the pandemic, I knew change was no option. I don’t mean changing our message, our voice, or what we carry in our hearts. Those are what make any house of worship important and necessary. What we needed was a new tool, an idea, a new means to our timeless ends.
We found it. Our church is now a restaurant.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church feeds spiritual and physical hunger
ARTICLE BY REVEREND RICH WEBSTER
“This much I know – we will sell gas and hot dogs if that brings hope and joy to a world with precious little of both”.
Plenty of churches have kitchens, potlucks, and Wednesday night dinners. That’s not new. In fact, I belong to a denomination where Sunday breakfast is aspirational, as in, you know you’ve arrived when you smell bacon during the early service.
It seems like a lifetime ago, that summer we all stayed home, wore masks, and washed groceries. That summer, I was left alone to roam the halls of Saint Luke’s–that is, until I was approached by a recently retired chef, a church member who owned a popular local eatery.
His big idea was to turn our empty church into a takeout restaurant, keeping the staff employed and giving them something to do. So we chopped, prepped, and packed. I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t go to seminary to learn chopping skills or the proper internal temperature of cooked fish, but it was better than a Zoom meeting.
My soup kitchen pal once noticed that the steam line becomes an impregnable barrier, as the lucky/well-fed/rich people get to drive in and out of downtown while the dirty/hungry/poor people file by, separated from the others by glass and steam, just to receive a ladle full of charity for the day.
The same can be said of any church kitchen, as our steam lines divide us still – but in this case, between those volunteers who know the inside language of a place they love, leaving any hapless visitor who wanders in to learn they don’t belong, possibly leaving with a tray of food but no one speaking to them. Perhaps it’s too much to ask of any volunteer, but a restaurant makes hospitality more possible.
It didn’t take long to see that food was the catalyst. During the pandemic, our new take-out restaurant gave people a reason to get out of the house, to drive under the steeple, and to say hello in person, if only from a car window. We weren’t great at being restaurateurs, either: Food would be late, and cars would be lined up around the block. No one cared. They were home.
That was just a start. When lockdown ended, reentry brought new challenges, namely, what to do with Sunday Breakfast. The steam line was history, and we knew buffets were no longer an option. So, volunteers pre-wrapped breakfast items and piled them high in the center of what had been a parlor.
High-top tables replaced sofas, and QR codes were posted for donations, alongside an offering plate for those who still carry folding money. Then came the lightbulb moment that could well save any church, synagogue, Islamic center, Elks lodge, or any other tired nonprofit organization that has seen membership shrinking or getting older by the minute. Why not leave the food out all morning?
Boom! What an idea. Our former church parlor is the happiest place in town, as generations of old friends and new friends laugh and connect, watch little ones dart after donuts, and just enjoy a minute somewhere.
Of course, not everyone has eyes to see. At a recent denominational event, one of my colleagues said our church sounds more like a convenience store. And why not? Times of change call for new ideas, and who said church can’t be fun in this way? This much I know – we will sell gas and hot dogs if that brings hope and joy to a world with precious little of both.
And here is the best part. While we are munching on sausage biscuits, our profits go to local outreach and disaster relief – profits to the point we were able to write a check for $50,000 to Hurricane relief in Western North Carolina.
The Bible calls this building the Kingdom. I call it hope for the future, barriers broken, and a “somewhere” for so many. This isn’t our past; this is new and different and so much fun. Don’t be afraid to try something new, and always hope. Adventures await.
A Willing Donor
ARTICLE BY MARA HAMNER
“I was more selfish than brave. I wanted my husband back, and I was ready to get the kidney show on the road.”
From the start, I said I’d do it. He didn’t want me to, but I said, “Shut up. I’m doing it.”
We had known for years this was coming. My husband BJ’s kidneys were damaged from long-term uncontrolled high blood pressure, and they’d been limping along for a while as his nephrologist kept an eye on his blood levels. We learned that stage four kidney failure is something you can live with for a long time, and we also knew it could turn into stage five on a dime. Stage five is when you start talking about dialysis and transplants. It was a surprise to learn in October 2023 that BJ had reached stage five because his physical state hadn’t perceptibly changed.
The two of us having the same blood type simplified things – that’s the primary criteria for a kidney match. But, we still needed to be tested for everything under the sun before BJ was deemed a good transplant candidate and I was considered a suitable match. His testing was spread out over several months, but most of mine was in one long day at the Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital. Turned out I was fit as a fiddle, and once his testing was complete, we were told we were an excellent match. I asked how close a match and our coordinator replied, “Identical twins would be closer, but you’re really close.”
People kept telling me I was brave, courageous, or selfless. I can’t claim any of those noble descriptions. The prospect of having a healthy husband outweighed any doubts I had. As with many chronic conditions, the patient didn’t truly realize how bad he was feeling. The decline had been gradual, but I could see it. BJ was growing more fatigued by the day but couldn’t get sufficient rest at night due to frequent bathroom trips. I was more selfish than brave. I wanted my husband back, and I was ready to get the kidney show on the road.
I asked how close a match and our coordinator replied, “Identical twins would be closer, but you’re really close.”
Mara and BJ Hamner three weeks after surgery. Married 32 years, they live in Hoover and have two grown children, Mary Claire, 30, and Trent, 26. BJ is in advertising sales, and Mara is an office administrator.
We arrived at the hospital at 5 a.m. on the day of the procedure, and a gorgeous resident who looked exactly like Jennifer Garner took us to pre-op. This was a good sign because BJ loves Jennifer Garner. We were directed to get into gowns and side-by-side beds. A nurse came to administer our IVs and must have put the good stuff in right away because I don’t remember anything else until waking up in post-op with a morphine pump in my hand.
It’s a common belief that the donor has it harder than the recipient, and I’m here to tell you it’s true. While I tried to sleep in my room, here came BJ, full to the brim with steroids, bouncing in to see what I was up to. “Get out,” I mumbled. “Trying to sleep.”
Three days after the surgery, I was allowed to go home, and after three more, BJ joined me.
Though kidney transplants have a very high success rate these days, it’s understood that a recipient who lives in the same household as the donor has an excellent chance for success because the kidney is not going to a completely new home – it will still be in the same environment it lived in before, with familiar surroundings, just in a different body. The transplant team told us it had been a while since they sent a kidney back to the home it came from; apparently, spousal donations are somewhat rare.
We laugh because the kidney now sleeps about a foot from where it slept before the operation. It is functioning beautifully, so I think it must be happy in there.
When we were both home from the hospital, for several days in a row, BJ would look at me, teary-eyed, and say, “I can’t believe you did this. I can never thank you enough.” Finally, I had to tell him, “Well, would you have done it for me?” He agreed immediately. “Of course!”
“All right, then,” I said. “I love you, too.”
“We laugh because the kidney now sleeps about a foot from where it slept before the operation.”
LOVE POTION #9
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY ANNA BARNES
A PINK COCKTAIL PERFECT FOR CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY
WHO NEEDS FLOWERS AND CHOCOLATE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE FLOWERS AND COCKTAILS?
This Valentine's Day, whether you plan to treat a loved one, treat your girlfriends, or treat yourself, I can promise you'll want to serve up this perfectly pink cocktail; one I like to call Love Potion #9. It looks as fabulous as it tastes. You can't beat the bright, fresh grapefruit juice and the bubbles add a lively kiss on top. Each sip is dreamier than the next. Cheers, here's to love!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• 1.5 oz rosé
• 5 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 5 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• 3 oz bubbles (champagne or sparkling wine)
THE HOW-TO:
1. Pour the rosé, simple syrup, egg white, and grapefruit juice into an ice-filled shaker.
2. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds, until chilled.
3. Pour into a coupe glass using the strainer.
4. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.
5. Garnish with edible flowers and grapefruit peel.
6. Enjoy!
